Q8) What is Majoritarianism? How has it increased the feelings of alienation among Sri-Lankan Tamils. Explain.
Solution-
Majoritarianism in a country means, the needs and wishes of a minority community is completely disregarded by the majority community and the majority community believes it should be able to rule the country as per its wishes in any manner. Majoritarianism can harm the unity of a nation.After attaining independence, the new government initiated many laws that discriminated against the Tamils. Sinhalese was declared the sole official language which effectively eliminated the Tamils from government service. A law was also passed which simply barred Indian Tamils from getting citizenship. The Tamils started demanding equal rights in their homeland. Their demands were just and their methods peaceful.
Majoritarianism in a country means, the needs and wishes of a minority community is completely disregarded by the majority community and the majority community believes it should be able to rule the country as per its wishes in any manner. Majoritarianism can harm the unity of a nation.After attaining independence, the new government initiated many laws that discriminated against the Tamils. Sinhalese was declared the sole official language which effectively eliminated the Tamils from government service. A law was also passed which simply barred Indian Tamils from getting citizenship. The Tamils started demanding equal rights in their homeland. Their demands were just and their methods peaceful.
However, ethnic tension was rising in the country and the successive Sinhalese governments did nothing to provide equal rights and opportunities to the Tamil people. They were even targets of sectarian violence.